Sally's disdain reaches fever pitch as she insists that Tim remove the tasteless graffiti immediately, and he’s delighted to have the use of Norris’s power
washer to ensure the job's a good ‘un. However, Sally’s disgust is tempered
somewhat by Roy
After satisfying herself via the internet
that spray paint sells, she arrives just in time to throw herself between the
power washer and the wall, and takes to guarding the mural with her life courtesy of a deck chair as she awaits an expert assessment from Roy’s historical society pal.
She fawns at the news he has done a Masters dissertation on the artist
until, that is, he tells her what she doesn’t want to hear. There is much
entertainment on offer for the small crowd present, as the expert is sent most
unceremoniously packing, and both the mural and Sally’s dream of moving to Hale Barnes are washed into the gutter. Her snobbish
nature is a delight, but the mural wasn’t the only tribute in this
storyline, which was essentially a replica of her approach to the Manhattan Range
Sally and Norris aren't the only pair to have received a dousing as a cheeky comment from Carla sees Sarah begin to doubt Callum's intentions towards her. Confronting him behind the Rovers, he assures her that he's serious, and she's satisfied enough to decide they had better tell David, but Callum's expression makes it unclear as to whether or not he means what he says. I'd have no sympathy for her if indeed he is using her. Nick's right, it's an outrageous relationship to embark on, and if she was half way decent she wouldn't want anything to do with him.
I absolutely love how
As things hot up between Nick and Carla, he receives some news which changes everything. Erica arrives back to
tell him she’s pregnant, and while she’s still thinking about what she’s going
to do, has a very honest talk with him about how it could be her last chance to have
a child and consequently she isn't going to take her decision lightly. A visibly shocked Nick himself says he needs time for it to sink in, and she leaves him
to it. Meanwhile Bethany urges Carla to tell Nick how she feels and she marches into the Bistro
to do just that when he drops his bombshell.
They have a very touching chat
about bad timing, and she assures him of her friendship. There is a strong 'what could have
been' element to the drama which is conveyed brilliantly in the performances, direction
and script and it’s all rather heartbreaking in a pleasantly surprising way. I
have to say, I’m so relieved that Nick came out with the news at the first opportunity,
and that there won’t be any painfully protracted secrecy afoot. It was mature,
fitting, respectful and exactly how it should have been. I would ask, however, why they can’t go ahead with
starting a relationship anyway? Yes, the timing is bad and he has other things to consider now, but the chemistry is clearly there, and I think
based on how this has played out over the past few weeks, that they would make a
good couple.
They say love is blind, but shouldn’t increasing tales of
Jenny Bradley’s strange and unacceptable behaviour have Kevin even slightly
concerned at this point? Instead he takes her word over his daughter’s every
time. Tonight, Sophie calls over to see her brother, and Jenny flatly refuses
to let her bath him. As the encounter descends into a one sided
shouting match, enter Kevin who again seems to think Sophie is to blame. Sally
Ann Matthews continues to be great in the role and conveys brilliantly this rather terrifying side to her character. Maddie and Sophie reconcile, but Sophie refuses to apologise for anything
relating to Jenny, and stands her ground.
These episodes by Damon Rochefort and Jayne Hollinson had strong characterisation, sparkling dialogue, and the right balance of humour and drama, and I thoroughly enjoyed them.
By Emma Hynes
Twitter: @ELHynes
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